Josephine C. Bauer

Josephine Clara Bauer, 93, Wausau, died December 3, 2017. She was born to Alex and Jennie (Losiewicz) Grendzinski on March 13, 1924 on the family farm in Thorp, WI, the eldest of six children. She attended Sunny Lawn elementary school and graduated Thorp High School in 1942. She then graduated from Wausau Business Institute in 1943, after which she was employed by Wausau Electric, Humphrey Chevrolet, The Fashion Store, Employers Mutual, and Northern Realty Company. After WWII she married returned soldier Edwin Bauer on September 25, 1948 at St. Hedwig's Church in Thorp, WI. Josephine and Edwin resided in Wausau, WI. They had three children who kept them active with school and scout activities at St. Matthew's Grade School and Newman High School. Josephine and Edwin were married for 58 years before he died in March of 2006. Josephine was a lifetime member of the Women of the Moose starting in 1962. She served as Senior Regent and Graduate Regent, earned the Star Recorder degree, and was initiated into the College of Regents and Academy of Friendship. Josephine belonged to the Wausau VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 388, and the Wausau Homemakers. She was a member of St Bernard's Circle of St Matthew Catholic Church, and taught Sunday morning pre-school religious education. In their retirement years, Josephine and Edwin often helped with the funeral luncheons at St Matthew. Survivors include daughter Rita Bauer, St Louis Park, MN; daughter-in-law Karen Bauer, one granddaughter and five great grandchildren, Madison, WI; brothers Casmier Grendzinski, Tempe, AZ; Leon (Betty) Grendzinski, Wausau, WI; Alex (Hilda) Grendzinski, Thorp, WI; Thomas (Kathie) Grendzinski, Burnsville, MN; many nieces and nephews; five godchildren Ruth Ann (Merwin) Rothenberger, Jo Ann Bauer, Jane Lynn (Leudtke) Hermundson, David Grendzinski, and Anne (Grendzinski) Szczech. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Edwin; sons Ronald and Richard; brother Bernard; and godchild Christopher Dalbec. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Noon, Thursday, December 7, 2017 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Peter Kieffer will preside. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 6, from 4pm - 8pm at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave, Wausau and again Thursday at St Matthew Church, 229 S. 28th Ave, Wausau, from 11am until the time of the services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Catholic Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com